Take three wires and put a hook in the end of each. Take three small balls of white paste approx 3mm diameter, shape each into a cone and flatten slightly. Curve the tip and place the hooked end of a wire dipped into glue, into the base of each. Leave to dry.

Take three wires and using white tape, tape a few stamens onto each.

Step 2

Tape the three centres together and add the stamens in between. Roll out paste and cut out six petals with the smallest size peony cutter. Insert a wire up the centre of each petal to approx. ½ way up. Thin around the edge with the ball tool, and frill the top edge with the large frilling stick, then gently bend each petal to curve inwards.

Step 3

Brush your chosen powder colour onto the base of each petal and leave petals to dry for a few minutes. To angle the petals for adding to flower, bend each one backwards using tweezers at the base, before arranging them around the centre.

Step 4

Cut out five petals of the next size and repeat the wiring, frilling, bending and colouring as before. Use a ball tool for additional help to curve the petal inwards. Allow to dry a little before adding onto the flower with petals overlapping.

Cut out seven petals of the next size and repeat the process, again using the ball tool to curve each petal inwards.

Cut out approximately nine petals with the largest size cutter and repeat.

Step 5

Add a calyx made with paste coloured green.

Step 6

Allow whole flower to dry completely, either hanging upside down, or placing in a cupped drying tray or rack.

Finish with green tape on the stem.

Top Tips

You may prefer to cut out all the petals in one go, using the Stay Fresh mat for covering until used - it is quicker and easier. Wire and ball them, and dust the colour on. They are then ready to assemble all together to make the flower. The petals should still be flexible when you add them to the flower so that you can tweak them into shape.

If you prefer, make the peony not quite opened up, in which case, you will not need the centre. Instead use a small polystyrene ball or cone with wire inserted and mould all the petals around this.